@lilaclupin's post on Artfol
What do you guys think of the term "special needs"? (Preferably looking for answers from disabled people)
I'm not disabled so I can't speak on this matter, but it feels similar to "handicapped" or "differently abled" and it always feels weird when I read it. But are disabled people actually fine with it? Or do you think it has a more negative connotation to it?Jun 10, 2022
I'm not disabled so I can't speak on this matter, but it feels similar to "handicapped" or "differently abled" and it always feels weird when I read it. But are disabled people actually fine with it? Or do you think it has a more negative connotation to it?Jun 10, 2022
Comments
(Just some context, feel free to ignore if you like!) Okay, so I have ADHD & even though I was never in a “special needs” class, I was often given “special” arrangements & was put in tiny math classes (less than 10 kids in the class on average) in middle school for extra help with Math (stuff like IEPs, which I noticed a lot of other folks who had IEPs too were Autistic or had Dyslexia or something.)
So, as far as I’ve heard, “special needs” is an outdated & offensive term that needs to be replaced with something way less offensive. I understand people can get their undies in a twist about the smallest things, but I actually do understand this one & side with it needing to be replaced. Now I’ve forgotten what the suggested new name for it should probably be, but I think it was something simple that basically communicated that it’s just a class that offers extra help for those who need it. I think it might’ve been “Disabled class” or something, ugh I can’t remember!!!
Both handicapped & ESPECIALLY “differently abled” are seen as offensive terms. It’s primarily because abled people came up with those terms. Most people with disabilities want to be referred to as disabled, because that’s what they are & that’s a term that abled people didn’t force onto disabled folks. Some people might not mind being called handicapped, that one might just depend on the person.
“Differently abled” is SUPER offensive because it completely disregards the fact that the person is disabled & is actually limited to what they can do & ignores the daily struggle these people (including myself) have. It’s saying that being disabled is a superpower, which is so incredibly untrue. Having memory problems to the point where I forget what I’m doing as I’m doing it nearly every single day isn’t a superpower.
TL; DR: All of the terms you mentioned are usually found to be offensive. Handicapped might not be by everyone though, but “special needs” & “differently ablef” absolutely have negative connotations to them.
I hope this helps!
So, as far as I’ve heard, “special needs” is an outdated & offensive term that needs to be replaced with something way less offensive. I understand people can get their undies in a twist about the smallest things, but I actually do understand this one & side with it needing to be replaced. Now I’ve forgotten what the suggested new name for it should probably be, but I think it was something simple that basically communicated that it’s just a class that offers extra help for those who need it. I think it might’ve been “Disabled class” or something, ugh I can’t remember!!!
Both handicapped & ESPECIALLY “differently abled” are seen as offensive terms. It’s primarily because abled people came up with those terms. Most people with disabilities want to be referred to as disabled, because that’s what they are & that’s a term that abled people didn’t force onto disabled folks. Some people might not mind being called handicapped, that one might just depend on the person.
“Differently abled” is SUPER offensive because it completely disregards the fact that the person is disabled & is actually limited to what they can do & ignores the daily struggle these people (including myself) have. It’s saying that being disabled is a superpower, which is so incredibly untrue. Having memory problems to the point where I forget what I’m doing as I’m doing it nearly every single day isn’t a superpower.
TL; DR: All of the terms you mentioned are usually found to be offensive. Handicapped might not be by everyone though, but “special needs” & “differently ablef” absolutely have negative connotations to them.
I hope this helps!
•
I'm disabled. That phrasing comes off as condescending to me usually. Sometime people are being unclear because they're uncomfortable assigning language to someone's disability (probibly cuz of stigma,) and I don't mind that. I would rather they were 'gentle' than to use a slur or smthn. But Im not a fan of 'special needs' or any of the others
•
I'm honestly fine with it. I have Asperger's Syndrome, meaning I have a form of Autism, and I'm absolutely fine with the term.
•
